Tread-band for pneumatic-tire wheels.



J. McLEOD. TRBAD BAND FOR PNBUMATIG TIRE WHEELS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.15, 1911.

Patented. Feb. 18, 1913.

JWM/Wm JAMES MCLEOD,

0F ST. KILDA, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

'BREAD-BAND FOR PNEUMATIC-TIRE WHEELS.

Speciication of Letters Patent.

Application tiled. March 15, 1911.

Patented Feb. is, isis.

serial no. stacca.

To aZZ 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, JAMES MCLEOD, a subjectof the King of Great Britain and Ireland, &c., residing at St. Kilda, in the State of Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful improvements' in Tread-Bands for Pneumatic-Tire Wheels; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactl description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a tread band or shoe for the cover ofa pneumatic-tire wheel. Tread bands have been hitherto proposed, but with constructions diifering from mine. My band is held in working position by inflation of the inner tube, which expands the cover within the band. The latter is exteriorly of steel or the like and interiorly of asbestos. The exterior is smooth or of any preferred contour. rlhe interior contains a series of wide continuous V shaped grooves pointing in diiferent directions. The sides of the band are in the preferred forms of my invention provided with a series of slots or elongated apertures not all extending in the same direction. The internal grooves form circles of dierent diameters, and especially in conjunction with the slots afford a powerful grip on the cover, preventing the tread band becoming displaced laterally or longitudinally. The asbestos portion of the tread resists the passage of outer heat to the cover. `Where the apertures or slots aforesaid are tapering (being smaller at their outer ends) each aperture becomes plugged by the cover, which is forced into these perforations by the pressure of the inner tube.

The sides of the tread band are of much thinner metal than the middle part; these sides are resilient, and somewhat expansible under the pressure of the cover. The edges of the tread are shouldered or rounded forming a lip which becomes sunk in the cover when the latter is expanded. This increases the stability of the tread during use.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 exhibits a cross sectional view of a pneumatic tire having my construction. My preferred form is shown in Fig. 2in cross section, and Fig. 3 in side elevation. Fig. 4 shows a detail modied.

ln these views, lettered parts aref--a-a wheel rim, metal or otherwise, of any suitable form. b-any suitable lpneumatic tire cover, inclosing an' inner tube. 0-an inner tube or means by which pressure within the cover is maintained; d-an asbestos lining of the tread band. e-a tread band of steel or the like. f-a series of circularv internal grooves (of V shape in cross section)4 at and n ar the middle of band e. g-the middle p rt of band e, smooth in Fig. 1, but ribbed in Fig. 2. L-tapering, thin, resilient sides of band e. i-a flange or lip around each edge of sides L. j-circular internal grooves of V shape in cross section, located between grooves f, and grooves fk undermentioned. c-circular internal gropves of V shape in cross section, located atithe side of band e.

The internal grooves are simple in form, and admit readily of cover expansion into them; they also provide considerable surface against which the cover will be firmly pressed. These grooves are wide angled; and, having no sharp edges, are free from tendency to cut the cover. Moreover they point in dierent `directions as will be observed from lines w, y, a, which if produced upwardly in Fig. 1 would bisect the grooves. These features contribute to the firm retention of the tread band in place during traveling.

Z and m are holes through the tread band sides at intervals along groove k, the holes tapering so as to be small externally. 1 ordinarily use holes with lengths as Z longitudinal, and others as m transverse to groove lc. These holes increase the surface allowance for cover expansion. The cover bulges into the tapering holes as at m1, Z1. rllhe holes are located far down the tread sides so as not to allow the entrancefrom without of anything that could puncture the tire.

.The directions and shapes of the holes in the sides of the tread band may be varied from what is illustrated; thus they are set diagonally in some cases with their lengths on lines as a, o; or they may be all set longitudinally as at Z; Oras in Fig. 4 the holes m2 point away from the tread middle, so that there will be still less opportunity for puncture, and so that if anything enters the hole and strikes the bevel p, the latter will tend not to guide it farther in, but to allow it to escape again.

The asbestos lining may consist of any suitable mixture of asbestos with adhesive tion of material, applied in such manner as to suitably Coat the tread band.

What l elaiin Letters Patent for is l. ln a tire the combination of en inner tu en outer ease inolosing said inner tube? a metal protector inelosing the major por-- tion ot theouter case and formed with a series of grooves, said protector having outwardly tapered openings belenT the tread surface oit the protector to' form pockets, said pockets and said grooves receiving the expanded portion of the ease when the tire is iniated.

2. ln a tire the combination of an inner tube, en outer case inolosing said inner tube, a niet-al protector inelosing the major porinsane? the outer oase and formed with a series of grooves, said protector having a pluralitj) of elongated outwardly tapered openings below the tread surface of the proteetor to form pockets, Certain or the elongated tapered openings being disposed at an angle to the remainlng elongated tapered I openings said elongated pockets and said grooves receiving the expanded portion of the ease when the tire is inflated.

ln Witness whereof l have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES MCLED.

Witnesses:

GEORGE A. FERRI, BEATRICE M. Lovins. 

